Phoenix, AZ –– Desert Botanical Garden is announcing its fall season with a dazzling array of exhibitions and events to help you enjoy the beauty of the desert. As the largest botanical garden in the southwest, the Garden is presenting a world-class season, including world-renowned artists, local musicians, vibrant dancers and dynamic festivals—all within the breathtaking setting of 50,000 desert plants.

Exhibits
Exhibit entry is membership or paid General admission

Fall Butterfly ExhibitSept. 30 – Nov. 19 | 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mighty monarch butterflies return on Sept. 30, and they are bringing friends! The exhibit invites visitors to take a closer look at the insects that care for and protect our desert environment. From pollinators to predators, insects have amazing powers and play a variety of roles in the desert. Become a plant protector to support and help protect beneficial insects and pollinators.

Larry Kornagay
Sept.22- Jan.7
Phoenix-based designer and artist Larry Kornegay exhibits more than 20 new works. Renowned for his artistry in a variety of materials, Larry Kornegay/ New Work presents both two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork inspired by the natural world.

Jun Kaneko
Oct. 13 – May 13
Experience the bold, monumental sculptures of Japanese-American artist Jun Kaneko. Uncover Kaneko’s colorfully glazed ceramic and bronze forms in the rich backdrop of the Garden’s desert flora. Immerse yourself in imaginative color palettes, stand tall with the whimsical Tanuki raccoon-dogs and take a mindful moment among the intimate installation of Kaneko’s iconic Dangos, or round form series. Kaneko is an internationally renowned artist who specializes in large-scale, hand-built, ceramic sculptures. His work has been featured in more than 40 major museum collections and shown in high-profile exhibitions and public art installations around the world. His extraordinary achievements can be seen in public art, opera production design, and architectural projects; including more than 30 public art commissions in the United States and Japan. Sponsored by APS.

Ofrenda
Oct. 22 – Nov. 7 | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Ofrenda, or “offering,” is part of the traditional Mexican celebration of Día de los Muertos. To honor those who have passed away, an altar is placed in the home and adorned with photographs, flowers, decorations, lit candles, food and drink. This act of preparing an altar of offerings to the dead helps transform grief into acceptance. View original Ofrenda installations by Arizona artists that have been created specifically for this exhibition.

Members: $25 | General Public: $30. Attendees must be 21 or older
Desert Botanical Garden once again offers an exciting and diverse lineup of talented performers in the Fall Music in the Garden concert series. Enjoy performances from local bands on the always-stunning Ullman Terrace stage. Sponsored by Pour Masters.

Friday, Oct. 6 Mother Road Trio

Friday, Oct.13: The Sugar Thieves

Friday, Oct.20: Traveler

Thursday, Oct. 26: Walt Richardson & Friends ( All Ages)

Friday, Nov. 3: Ronstadt Brothers & Los Tucsonenses

Friday, Nov. 10: Big Nick and the Gila Monsters

Thursday, Nov. 16 (All ages welcome for this special performance) and Friday, Nov.17: April Verch ( 21 and older)

Strange Garden
Oct. 27-28 | 5:30–9 p.m. Included with membership or paid Garden admission. Children under three are free.
A new fall all family experience is creeping into the Garden and you are invited! Join us at Strange Garden and encounter weird sites, fun tricks and enchanting creatures. Dance until you drop with groovy ghouls at the spook-tacular monster bash. Kids if you dare, come dressed to impress in your Halloween best. Don’t leave empty-handed, Kids 12 and younger can pick the perfect pumpkin to take home.

15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Nov. 4 – 5 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | La Procesión each day 5-6 p.m.

Celebrate Día de los Muertos at this two day festival filled with music, dance and storytelling that explore the beauty and meaning of this special holiday. Children will love the crafts and face painting and the whole family will enjoy the entertainment and browsing the Mercado filled with art, jewelry and other wares. Each day ends with La Procesión, a procession through the Garden by all the performers and audience members, concluding with a traditional burning of troubles. La Procesión represents the ancient tradition of marching as a community to burial sites in order to honor those who have passed on. Sponsored by Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine and azfamily.

Dogs’ Day in the Garden

Nov. 18 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Included with membership or paid Garden admission. $4 admission per dog with proceeds benefiting the Arizona Humane Society.

Bring the whole family—dogs included—for a walk on Garden trails. Meet other dog lovers, heel for family photos, learn about local dog-related nonprofits, shop and enjoy samples with your pup. All dogs must be on a leash and remain on marked trails at all times. Dogs must be up-to-date on vaccinations and license. Handlers must pick up after their dogs and properly dispose of their waste. Desert Botanical Garden reserves the right to refuse entry to or remove any dog thought to be dangerous to other dogs or visitors. Dogs will only be admitted to the Garden between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dogs will not be allowed in Gertrude’s or the Garden Shop. Programming subject to change.

Chiles & Chocolate Festival

Nov. 10-12 | 10 a.m. – 5p.m.

Chiles & Chocolate Festival is the ideal recipe for a sweet and spicy weekend. Sample and shop your way through Arizona’s top chile and chocolate vendors. Indulge in gourmet chocolates, zesty sauces, fresh fire-roasted chiles and other delights. Listen to catchy musical mixes and enjoy fiery live performances of Latin, Brazilian and Spanish dance on Boppart Courtyard.

Join us and be part of this Southwest holiday tradition, Las Noches de las Luminarias! This year, the Garden will be aglow for 21 magical evenings as guests experience the beauty of more than 8,000 hand lit luminaria bags, thousands of white twinkle lights and unexpected views of familiar spaces. As you walk the Garden paths, you will be welcomed by the sights and sounds of nine unique entertainment ensembles including the return of Simply Three. Enjoy dinner at the Garden with family and friends, and stroll each path with a warm cup of cider or cocoa. The southwest elegance and beauty of the Garden at night, will remind you of what the season is all about. Make plans to attend this year’s very special Las Noches de las Luminarias. Sponsored in part by: American Airlines, Twiford Foundation, Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine, Phoenix Magaizne and azfamily. Entertainment powered by SRP Earthwise.

About Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden is the largest botanical garden in the Southwest featuring 55,000 plants from across the world. The Garden allows visitors to experience the beauty of the desert like never before. For 78 years, the Garden’s commitment to the community is to advance excellence in education, research, exhibition and conservation of desert plants of the world with emphasis on the Southwestern United States.